Ifá: A Forest of Mystery
by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold
Ifá: A Forest of Mystery by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold is a major study on the cosmology, metaphysics, philosophy and divination system of Ifá, written by a tradition holder and member of the council of elders, known as the Ogboni society, of Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Ifá – an alternative name for its prophet Òrúnmìlà – is a religion, a wisdom tradition and a system of divination encoding the rich and complex oral and material culture of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba culture is grounded in memory, an ancestral repository of wisdom, that generates good counsel, advises appropriate ebo (sacrifice) and opens the way to develop a good character on our journey through life and in our interactions with the visible and invisible worlds.
The work is a presentation of the first sixteen odù of the Ifá corpus of divination verses explained in stories, allegories and proverbs reflecting the practical wisdom of Ifá. The work is both a presentation of Ifá for those with little knowledge of it, and a dynamic presentation of the wealth of its wisdom for those already familiar with Ifá. The deities and key concepts of Ifá metaphysics are discussed: Obàtálá, Ònilé, Sàngó, Ògún, Oya, Òsányìn, Yemoja, Èsù, àse (power), egúngún (ancestry), ìwà (character) and orí (head/consciousness/daimon). Notably, Frisvold has created a work which celebrates the Yoruba wisdom tradition and makes a bridge with the Western world. It is of value for the light that it casts on the origins and mysteries of Èsù and òrìsà, and an important source for those practicing Quimbanda, Palo, Santeria, Vodou and the African Diaspora religions. Yet its lessons are universal, for it is the art of developing character, of attracting good fortune and accruing wisdom in life.
“Ifá is a philosophy, a theogony, theology and cosmology rooted in a particular metaphysic that concerns itself with the real and the ideal, the world and its beginning. It is rooted in the constitution of man and the purpose of life and the nature of fate. Ifá is a philosophy of character. The philosophy of Ifá lies at the root of any religious cult or organization involving the veneration of òrìsà. […] Through stories and legends, divinatory verses and proverbs, this philosophy will be revealed piece by piece until the landscape has been laid open before you.” - Frisvold, from the book
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Table of Contents
Preface by Chief Ògúnṣínà Adéwuyi
Introduction
Part I · A Philosophy of Character
The timeless wisdom of Ifá
Òrúnmìlà and the secret structure of odù
The art of divination
The cosmology of Ifá
Part II · A Forest of Mystery
Èjì Ogbè · The moist air of consciousness
Òyèkú méjì · The mother of the spirit of death
Ìwòrì méjì · Celestial agriculture in the land of transformation
Òdí méjì · The house of deep comfort
Ìrosùn méjì · The rivers of consciousness
Òwónrín méjì · The sweet and bitter track
Òbárá méjì · The fork in the road
Òkànrán méjì · The crossroad the heart gave
Ògúndá méjì · The relentless pathmaker
Òsá méjì · The mysteries of the birds of night
Ìká méjì · The wicked cobra of fire
Òtúrúpòn méjì · The secret path of truth
Òtúrá méjì · Love’s gentle harmony
Ìretè méjì · The author of fate
Òsé méjì · The sweetness of mystery
Òfún méjì · The calabash of character
Òsétúrá · Èsù & the design of the world
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
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18 original pen & ink illustrations by Childerico
Paperback Edition
400 pages. Printed on 90 gsm paper.
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Press, reviews, endorsements
“From the preface, I was completely hooked. The author gave a detailed explanation of the encompassing characteristics of Ifa both as a religion and Ifa being deeply rooted in the consciousness of its faithful adherents as a way of life. Aside from a hard first start trying to grasp the philosophy of Ifa completely, the book continues seamlessly with the author interspersing proverbs, witty sayings, and songs to get his points across… I totally recommend it as I believe this book is a must-read for Africans, particularly people of Yoruba ancestry.”
Akpevwe Bekibele for Littafi - read the full review here
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About the Author
Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold, a native of Norway and resident of Brazil since 2003, is a behavioural psychologist, anthropologist and master brewer (Capirotagem Cervejaria).
During the last 25 years he has travelled extensively in search of traditional wisdom and spiritual legacies, with a particular focus on African and Afro-derived traditions along with what is generally defined as traditional witchcraft in Europe. This has led to deep involvement with several streams of wisdom, such as traditional Ifá, Haitian Vodou, Palo Mayombe, Quimbanda and a rich knowledge of witchcraft from diligent commitment and involvement with various recensions of the 'witches’ way.’
Frisvold is a pragmatist with an interest in spiritual philosophy, occult history and the aesthetic language used to describe and understand tradition, spirituality, sorcery and witchcraft, as exemplified in his books Palo Mayombe, Pomba Gira, Exu and Ifá.
Beside brewing, research and writing, Frisvold arranges workshops, courses and events of a spiritual and psychological orientation, as well as initiations at his grange in the Brazilian countryside, Villa Draconis, with his wife, Katy. They also offer spiritual, magical and astrological services and products through the Sacred Alchemy store. Articles, news and updates can be found on his blog, the Starry Cave.
